Candle holder

ABSTRACT

A candle holder is mounted to the neck of a bottle and holds the candle spaced from the inner wall of the bottle neck with a substantial open area therebetween to permit the melting wax to drip from the candle into the inside of the bottle.

United States Patent [191 Connolly CANDLE HOLDER [76] Inventor:Gerardine L. Connolly, 102 School Road, Wilmington, Del. 19803 [22]Filed: June 14, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 152,739

[451 Apr. 10, 1973 l/l950 Gardner ..431/294 6/1954 Babbitt ..43 l/294FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,357,355 1963 France 44,074 1965Germany 18,668 1895 Great Britain 24,603 10/1910 Great Britain .143l/297 Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. AttorneyArthur G. Connollyet a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A candle holder is mounted to the neck of a bottle andholds the candle spaced from the inner wall of the bottle neck with asubstantial open area therebetween to permit the melting wax to dripfrom the candle into the inside of the bottle.

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SHEET 3 [IF 3 IIVVE N TOR Gerardz'zzeL Con/10% ATTOBAEYS CANDLE HOLDERBACKGROUND OF INVENTION Various candle holders are known which are, forexample, intended to secure the candle to a candlestick, candelabra orotherlike device. One such means of holding a candle which has gainedwide popularity is to insert the candle into the neck of an unusuallyshaped or otherwise attractive bottle. This may be done by inserting thecandle directly in the neck of the bottle or by inserting the candle ina holder which in turn is inserted in the bottle neck. In use, however,as the candle melts the wax drips along the outside of the bottle. Thisin turn creates a number of problems such as having wax drip on thetable or other support surface. Additionally, the wax which forms alongthe outside of the bottle obscures some of the detail work which mighthave originally led to the selection of that bottle as a means ofholding the candle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a candleholder used with a bottle which overcomes the above disadvantages.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a candle holderand bottle combination whereby the wax will drip inside the bottlerather than covering the outside of the bottle or dripping on a supportsurface.

In accordance with this invention a candle holder is mounted to the neckof the bottle and holds the candle spaced from the inner wall of thebottle neck with a substantial open area therebetween to permit themelting wax to drip from the candle into the inside of the bottle. Suchan arrangement would be particularly desirable not only for candle usersby overcoming the above indicated problems, but also by bottlemanufacturers since it would permit the bottle to maintain itsdistinctive appearance as well as permitting any printed advertisingmatter on the bottle to remain visible.

In a preferred form of this invention the support means is decorativelyformed to add to the aesthetic appearance thereof. The candle holder maybe formed in such a manner as to be mounted within the bottle neck whileproviding a plurality of open channels between the neck and candle.Alternatively, the candle holder may be secured to the outer surface ofthe bottle neck thus maximizing the open area between the candle and theinner surface of the neck.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention the candle holdermay be formed in such a manner as to accommodate different size bottlesas well as different candle thicknesses.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a candle holder and bottlecombination in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the candle holder shown in FIG. 1 with thebottle and candle indicated in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a modified form of candle holder;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the candle holder shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken through FIG. 4 alongthe line 5-5;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the candle holdershown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of yet still another candle holder inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 12 along the line13-l3;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a further candle holder in accordance withthis invention; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 14 along the line15-15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows the general arrangement which includesthe novel candle holder 10 which is supported on neck 14 of bottle 16and holds the candle 12 in such a manner that open areas are createdbetween the inner wall 18 (see FIG. 5) of neck 14 and the candle so thatthe melting wax may drip into the inside of bottle 16.

FIGS. 3-5 show one embodiment of this invention wherein the candleholder 10 includes a flange 20 which rests upon the open top wall 22 ofneck 14. Secured to flange 20 by welding, soldering or any othersuitable means is a depending skirt 24 which, as shown in FIG. 4, iszig-zagged shaped in horizontal cross-section in such a manner as tocreate a plurality of co-arcuate inner edges 26 and a plurality ofco-arcuate outer edges 28. Edges 28 fit snugly against the inner wall 18of neck 14 as illustrated in FIG. 3, while edges 26 grip the candle. Inthis respect the pointed edges 26 dig into the candle to form grooves 30therein when the candle is forced into holder 10. The arrangementillustrated in FIGS. 3-5 thereby creates a plurality of open areas orchannels 32 to provide passageways for the falling wax.

FIGS. l-2 show an arrangement similar to FIGS. 3-5 with the inclusion ofdecorative means such as leaves 34 to add to the aesthetic appearance ofthe candle holder.

The concepts of this invention may be carried out in a number of wayswithout departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, for example as shown inFIGS. 6-7 the zigzag shape may be formed by the skirt 36 being undulatedto maximize the contact area with the neck of the bottle while tendingto minimize the contact area with the candle.

FIGS. 8-9 show a further modification wherein the holder 10A is stampedfrom a sufficiently rigid yet and 8-9 do not illustrate decorativemeans, in the preferred form of this invention such suitable decorativemeans would be provided for each embodiment.

FIGS. 10-11 show a further embodiment of this invention wherein thecandle 12 is mounted in a sleeve 44 spaced above neck 148. In thisembodiment holder 103 includes a flange 46 and depending skirt 48 whichengage the neck 143, with a funnel member 50 connected thereto.Decorative securing brackets 52in turn connect funnel 50 with candleholding sleeve 44. This arrangement not only maximizes the open area ofneck 143, but also the provision of funnel 50 further assures that thedripping wax 51 will be directed into the bottle. The specific shape ofthe funnel, sleeve and brackets would be so selected as to add to thedecorative or aesthetic appearance of the holder.

FIGS. 12-13 show another modification of this invention which isadaptable for use with difierent diameter candles. in the arrangementshown therein holder 10C includes a flange 54 and a depending skirt 56which engages the inner wall 18 of neck 14. The candle securing meansinclude a suitable number of pins 58 which are forced into the candle atspaced points to provide a stable securement of the candle to the holderwhile maximizing the open areas between the candle and inner wall. Inthe illustrated arrangement decorative means such as a flower 60 issecured to flange 54. To carry out the theme of the holder, pins 58 arethe stingers of, for example, bumble bees 62. To prevent the stingers orpins 58 from being dislodged from flower 60, sleeves 63 are formedinflower 60 and stingers or pins 58 include flattened areas 64 wherebythe stingers may slide back and forth for engagement or disengagementwith candle 12 but be permanently secured to flower60.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1-2, 3-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 12-13 have in commonthat when viewed. in its horizontal cross-section the candle securingmeans preferably makes point or minimal surface area contact with thecandle thus minimizing the contact therebetween, although this inventionis not limited to such type of candle securing means.

In the previously illustrated embodiments of this invention the holderis secured to the bottle by engagement with the top wall and/or innerwall of the bottle neck. It is to be understood, however, that theconcepts of this invention are not limited to any specific means ofsecurement to the neck and may likewise be carried out by securement tothe outer wall of the bottle neck. Thus as shown, for example, in FIGS.14-15 a decorative holder 10D is provided which includes a disc-likeupper member 66 having a plurality of spring fingers 68 secured theretofor resilient engagement with the outer wall 70 of neck 14. A spiderarrangement 72 secures disc 66 with candle holding sleeve 74 so that asubstantial open area is created between the candle and inner wall 18.This arrangement not only engages the outer wall of the neck, but alsoby the provision of the spring fingers the holder is capable of beingmounted on various dimensioned bottles.

As is readily apparent the various embodiments of this invention thusexemplify different means which permit a candle to be mounted to theneck of a bottle in such a manner so that the wax dri in therefrom willfall into the interior of the bottle w i 0%: dripping on a table orwithout obscuring any printing or detail work of the bottle.

What is claimed is:

1. A candle holder in combination therewith, a bottle having a hollowneck, said neck having an open top wall and communicating with theinterior of said bottle, said holder comprising support means formounting said holder to said neck of said bottle, candle securing meanson said holder for holding a candle spaced from the inner wall of saidbottle neck with'substantial open area therebetween whereby the meltingwax may drip from the candle into the interior of said bottle, saidsupport means being a flange disposed on said top wall of said neck,said candle securing means being connected to said flange, and said openarea being formed by a plurality of channels between said flange andsaid securing means.

2. A candle holder in combination therewith, a bottle having a hollowneck, said neck having an open top wall and communicating with theinterior of said bottle, said holder comprising support means formounting said holder to said neck of said bottle, candle securing meanson said holder for holding a candle spaced from the inner wall of saidbottle neck with substantial open area therebetween whereby the meltingwax may drip from the candle into the interior of said bottle, saidsupport means including a flange disposed on said top wall of said neck,a depending skirt secured to said flange, said skirt being zigzaggedshaped in horizontal crosssection with a plurality of co-arcuate inneredges and a plurality of co-arcuate outer edges, said outer edgesengaging said inner wall of said neck to further comprise said supportmeans, and said inner edges comprising said candle securing means.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means includesdecorative means for adding to the aesthetic appearance thereof.

' 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means engages theouter wall of said neck.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said candle I securing means inits horizontal cross-section makes point contact with the candle tominimize the contact therebetween.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said support means includesdecorative means for adding to the aesthetic appearance thereof.

7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said support means engages theouter wall of said neck.

8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said candle securing means in itshorizontal cross-section makes point contact with the candle to minimizethe contact therebetween.

* l i t

1. A candle holder in combination therewith, a bottle having a hollowneck, said neck having an open top wall and communicating with theinterior of said bottle, said holder comprising support means formounting said holder to said neck of said bottle, candle securing meanson said holder for holding a candle spaced from the inner wall of saidbottle neck with substantial open area therebetween whereby the meltingwax may drip from the candle into the interior of said bottle, saidsupport means being a flange disposed on said top wall of said neck,said candle securing means being connected to said flange, and said openarea being formed by a plurality of channels between said flange andsaid securing means.
 2. A candle holder in combination therewith, abottle having a hollow neck, said neck having an open top wall andcommunicating with the interior of said bottle, said holder comprisingsupport means for mounting said holder to said neck of said bottle,candle securing means on said holder for holding a candle spaced fromthe inner wall of said bottle neck with substantial open areatherebetween whereby the melting wax may drip from the candle into theinterior of said bottle, said support means including a flange disposedon said top wall of said neck, a depending skirt secured to said flange,said skirt being zigzagged shaped in horizontal cross-section with aplurality of co-arcuate inner edges and a plurality of co-arcuate outeredges, said outer edges engaging said inner wall of said neck to furthercomprise said support means, and said inner edges comprising said candlesecuring means.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support meansincludes decorative means for adding to the aesthetic appearancethereof.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support meansengages the outer wall of said neck.
 5. The combination of claim 1wherein said candle securing means in its horizontal cross-section makespoint contact with the candle to minimize the contact therebetween. 6.The combination of claim 2 wherein said support means includesdecorative means for adding to the aesthetic appearance thereof.
 7. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said support means engages the outer wallof said neck.
 8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said candle securingmeans in its horizontal cross-section makes point contact with thecandle to minimize the contact therebetween.